Texas SB 1119: Relating to the establishment of a border public health initiative by the Department of State Health Services.

Bill Text

By:AALucio S.B.ANo.A1119
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a border public health initiative
by the Department of State Health Services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTIONA1.AASubtitle C, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 65 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 65. BORDER PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVE
Sec.A65.0001.AADEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1)AA"Border county" means a county adjacent to this
state’s international border with Mexico.
(2)AA"Promotora" or "community health worker" has the
meaning assigned by Section 48.001.
Sec.A65.0002.AABORDER PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVE. (a) To the
extent funding is available, the department shall develop an
initiative to reduce the adverse health impacts of diabetes,
hypertension, and obesity for adults and children in border
counties. The initiative must promote:
(1)AAeducational resources designed to prevent those
conditions;
(2)AAscreenings of persons at risk for those
conditions; and
(3)AAreferrals to and treatment by health care
providers for those conditions.
(b)AAIn developing the border public health initiative, the
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department may consult and collaborate with:
(1)AAother health and human services agencies;
(2)AAother appropriate state or federal agencies;
(3)AAhealth science centers and medical schools; and
(4)AApublic and private health care providers and
hospitals.
Sec.A65.0003.AAOUTREACH CAMPAIGNS. The department shall,
subject to available funding, conduct bilingual, culturally
appropriate outreach campaigns in consultation and collaboration
with appropriate individuals and entities that may include:
(1)AApromotoras and community health workers;
(2)AAacademic centers located in border counties;
(3)AAnonprofit organizations;
(4)AApublic schools;
(5)AApublic and private health care providers and
hospitals;
(6)AAworksite wellness programs;
(7)AAlocal business and health care providers that
provide early detection of prediabetes, prehypertension, and
obesity; and
(8)AAother local entities, as the department determines
appropriate.
SECTIONA2.AAThis Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
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S.B.ANo.A1119
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